Council Minutes – January 13, 2013

By Webmaster, on February 4th, 2013

Jermyn Council met on Thursday, January 13 ,2013 for a special meeting/work session at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present for roll call: W.Estile, J.Allan, A.J.Fuga , B.Parks and K.Hosie, J.Smith arrived at 7:08. Attorney Nicholls was present. Mayor Smallacombe and John Mark were absent.

MINUTES – A motion was made by J.Allan, seconded by A.J.Fuga to accept the minutes of January 10, 2013. All members were in favor.

SOLICITOR– Attorney Nicholls said an opinion came down from the Commonwealth Court that the Mayor has access to the police room and scheduling. The Chief said he will give a Mayor a key and the Mayor delegated the scheduling to the Chief.

Attorney Nicholls said he has not worked on an ordinance to have all parking fines at a cost of $25.00. Mr. Parks asked him to work on it. Mr. Parks had a question about alternate parking on the easterly side of the 400 block of Garfield Avenue during alternate parking. Attorney Nicholls suggested amending the no parking ordinance when alternate parking is in effect and they can park on both sides. Chief Arthur said to leave it as it is, they will not enforce the alternate parking on the easterly side of the 400 block of Garfield when the snow ban is in effect.

PUBLIC INPUT – R.Rood expressed confusion with the proposed driveway ordinance. He asked why is it 21 pages long? Attorney Nicholls said it is modeled after the countys ordinance. Mr.Rood said that there is always water standing at the end of the driveway, will he be responsible for the standing water on the borough road? Attorney Nicholls said council can table the ordinance, he has no problem with that. Mr.Fuga said we need to have an ordinance that fits our town. Mr.Rood said the ordinance has excess costs to the residents. Mr.Estile said in some situations a variance could be needed and that’s a cost of $500.00. Mr. Parks asked who pays for the impact study? Attorney Nicholls said we can discuss it at a work session and get together with the borough engineer.

SEWER ISSUE ON BACON STREET – Attorney Nicholls said he has questions and wants to sit down with Mr.Rood after the meeting.

FINANCE– A motion was made by A.J.Fuga seconded by J.Allan to pay the invoices in the amount of $5,928.32. All members were in favor.

PUBLIC WORKS – Mr. Parks asked Attorney Nicholls about the Bridge Street project? Attorney Nicholls said he asked for proposals from four banks and did receive questions from some of them. The proposals are supposed to be here for the February council meeting ,we will than advertise the ordinance for the proposal and accept it at the March meeting. He said than the borough secretary will have to do a debt statement and all of the paperwork will go to the state for approval. Mr.Parks said he is catching hell over this and does Mr. Nicholls have a date? Mr. Nicholls said the best scenario is the end of April.

RECREATION – Mr. Allan said he would like to purchase adjustable mounts for the junior basketball this fall. It will include kindergarten up to fourth grade . The mounts will cost about $1000.00 a mount.

BRIAN KELLY – Mr. Smith said he received a phone call from B.Kelly, the borough’s accountant that there will be an additional fee of $1750.00 for extra work teaching Debbie how to prepare for the annual audit. K.Hosie asked wasn’t John Maros supposed to do the training? Mr.Smith asked for a detailed invoice for the $1750.00 fee.

INVOICE – A motion was made by J.Smith seconded by A.J.Fuga to table the invoice and the contract from Brian Kelly for study. All members were in favor.

Mr. Fuga said whether we get the grant or not we have to do something with the 400 block of Jefferson Avenue, perhaps some patching. Mr. Fuga said he will get together with Rock Bottom to get a quote.

Mr.Smith reported the borough has received a $70,000.00 grant from the Monroe Gaming Funds for a new roof on the borough building.

K.Hosie said she had concerns about the tandem trucks traveling borough roads for the Rails to Trails, is there any recourse if our roads get damaged? Attorney Nicholls said no. A.J.Fuga said they should be finished hauling soon.

GYM RENTAL FEES – Mr. Parks asked that we raise the fees for renting out the gym for basketball and parties. It is currently $17.50 per hour for basketball and $20.00 per hour for parties. Mr .Allan asked it be changed to one uniform price. Mr. Parks suggested $25.00 an hour. Attorney Nicholls said he will have to check the borough code to see if we can raise the fees.

Mrs. Hosie informed council of a breakfast sponsored by Senator Blake on February 14 at the Ramada Inn , Clarks Summit .

POLICE RIFLE – Chief Arthur said we have already received a donation for $1800.00 which we could use to purchase a rifle. He received a phone call today from a donor who asked him to give him the specifications for the rifle and he will buy it. Mr. Fuga said to purchase two rifles. Chief Arthur said there is a third donor who may donate $500 to a $1000.00 and asked if he can purchase racks for the rifles. Council so agreed.

Mr. Allan reported that a light is off the pole at Bonnie drive. The Chief said he will fax the information to PPL.

Council went into executive session. Council reconvened from executive session.

BOROUGH MANAGER – A motion was made by J.Smith seconded by W.Estile to raise the Borough Managers salary in the amount of $3000.00, effective immediately. All members were in favor.

SALARY INCREASE POLICE OFFICERS -A motion was made by R.Parks, seconded by A.J.Fuga to give Officer Selesky, Officer McMorrow, Officer Calzola and Officer Mallick a raise of $1.50 per hour ,effective immediately. All members were in favor.

A motion was made to adjourn by B.Parks, seconded by A.J.Fuga to adjourn. All members were in favor.